"Gimme a Break!" (1981) TV series 1981-1987

Creators:

Mort Lachman
Sy Rosen

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

29 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend...

Plot Keywords:

California | Housekeeper | Widower | Polish | African American

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 nominations

Cast

Nell Carter	...	Nellie Ruth 'Nell' Harper (137 episodes, 1981-1987)
Lara Jill Miller	...	Samantha 'Sam' Kanisky (107 episodes, 1981-1987)
Lauri Hendler	...	Julie Kanisky / ... (97 episodes, 1981-1986)
Kari Michaelson	...	Katie Kanisky (96 episodes, 1981-1986)
Dolph Sweet	...	Chief Carl Kanisky (83 episodes, 1981-1985)
John Hoyt	...	Grandpa Stanley Kanisky (78 episodes, 1982-1987)
Joseph Lawrence	...	Joey Donovan (77 episodes, 1983-1987)
Telma Hopkins	...	Addy Wilson (68 episodes, 1983-1987)
Howard Morton	...	Officer Ralph Simpson (50 episodes, 1981-1986)

Runtime:

30 min (137 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alan Landsburg Productions

Trivia:

In the third season, several changes were made including a new theme song, new producers and writers (only co-creator Mort Lachman was left of the original production staff), and drastic character changes: the death of Grandma Kanisky, the dropping of Uncle Ed from the cast (having been married in a season 2 episode, there was no mention of him or his wife again), and the additions of Addy Wilson, Nell's longtime friend, and Joey Donovan, an abandoned 7-year-old.

Goofs:

Continuity: The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot.

Quotes:

Chief: Joey, this is your brother Matt.
Nell: He said that he always wanted a dog.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Night of 100 Stars II (1985) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Sing A Song

Above average sitcom

Very good show that was one of many throughout TV sitcom history that revolved around a housekeeper/butler. Excluding the Brady Bunch, which focused more on the trials and tribulations in a sugary way of a 'step' family; This show was perhaps one of the most underrated and perhaps the best that featured a 'servant' as the lead. Hazel, Mr. Belvedere, Benson,and Family Affair. Nell Carter portraying Nell Harper was awesome. She can do it all sing, dance and act. She was basically the whole show , which dealt with many cast changes, perhaps the most shocking being Chief Carl Kaminskys death- Dolph Sweet. Mr. Kaminsky was a widower with 3 daughters, in the initial seasons and Nell was the surrogate mom/housekeeper. Wonderful show with many risqué , over the top episodes. Future seasons adding 'child' Joey Lawrence,Jonathon Silverman and Telma Hopkins as a fine tandem to Nell, especially proving more so important after Dolph Sweets sudden death with 2 seasons left. Ditzy friend Angie, senile Grandpa and many credible guest stars , including Tom Poston,Helen Hunt, Don Rickles, Rue McClanahan and Danny Glover. Not a brilliant show by any means, but certainly a show that highlights the great talents of Nell Carter, in basically her only venture in TV. Enjoy all of Ms. Carters' talents and cherish them for all time. Unfortunately she passed way too early.